Pregnant pygmy sperm whale found dead in Calapan City

A pregnant pygmy sperm whale which was stranded at the shores of a village in Calapan City was found dead by residents. Necropsy revealed it died hungry due to being stranded on the beach by receding tides. Photo by Stephen Calayan, Contributor

CITY OF CALAPAN – A pregnant pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) was found dead after being stranded near a bridge in this city Saturday, authorities said Sunday.

The whale was found by residents in Barangay (village) Balite around 6 a.m.

Marius Panahon, technical officer of the Calapan Fisheries Management Office, said the whale died probably “due to stranding.”

Beached whales often die due to dehydration, collapsing under their own weight, or drowning when high tide covers their blowhole, Panahon said.

Necropsy result said there were several parasites found in the intestine of the animal although no plastic material was found.

The pregnant whale sadly died hungry, Panahon said.

The whale measures 90 inches long with a width of 23 inches.

The whale was buried after the necropsy with the help of the local Bantay Dagat.